Saturday, December 14, 2013

Weekly Reflection Paper No. 2 of 10

Calasanz.MelissaAdylia 1
 Saint Mary's College of California
LEAP 198 Senior Project 
Student Supervisor of the Glendale Community College
DANCE 107
Survey of Dance Teaching Methodology Class

Weekly Reflection Paper No. 2
Assisting Dora Krannig is proving to be as rewarding as it is action-packed. The process of compiling and organizing information to create study-guides has deepened my awareness and appreciation of how much knowledge I do posses, and how much more I crave. Compiling and organizing information to create study-guides has also deepened my awareness and appreciation of how the exemplary educators I’ve had over the last two years has contributed to my strong organizational skills and ability to create thorough study guides.
With the go-ahead from Dora, I took it upon myself to create the “Glendale Community College Dance 107 Survey of Dance Teaching Methodology Suggested Reading” document. The document was designed to guide students in finding pertinent information helpful with assisting them as they begin applying information from last week, regarding the 2013 California Department of Education Dance Standards, as they continue work on preparing their lesson plans. While preparing the study guide, I chose to refer back to the instructional material that my LEAP Dance History I and II professor, Jill Nunes Jensen would provide for our assignments.
While enrolled in Jill’s classes I never had to ask clarifying questions regarding the course syllabus, worksheets, or other directions she gave to the class. She was clear, concise, and extremely organized with her presentation. While preparing the study guide, I worked hard to emulate her style.
I am happy to report, the study guide met with Dora’s approval and it will hopefully also be included in next semester’s DANCE 107 class when we transition to using Moodle.
In addition to the “Glendale Community College Dance 107 Survey of Dance Teaching Methodology Suggested Reading” document, I prepared a much less formal document: “Dance/Fitness Certifications and Continuing Education Resources for Dance/Fitness Instructors.” This document was quickly put together after several students expressed an interest in incorporating their love of dance and their desire to work in the health and fitness industry. I felt especially motivated to get this information out to the students as quickly as possible because the health and fitness industry is currently embracing dance as a form as a powerful too for promoting, health, well being, and weight loss that translates to big numbers financially.
I feel it’s important to empower young dancers to seek employment that is as good for their health and well being as it is for their financial stability; especially while they are pursuing a career in the arts. Fitness is an excellent vehicle that can support a dancer’s lifestyle, thanks to the schedule flexibility it offers and the access to free gym memberships and the opportunity to perform every time they teach a class.
A dancer has a much better chance of staying on top of their game if they have a job other than waitressing or bartending while trying to survive in Los Angeles.  I feel that information about dance-fitness should be job including in the curriculum of dance teaching methodology classes, not only as a way to make money, but as a way to utilize many of the skills dancers have worked hard to perfect over many years.
Since I completed the documents I’ve continued to fine tune the information in order to present the information in a more organized fashion; anticipating when we begin the process of transitioning the information to Moodle. I’m really looking forward to meeting with Connie Lantz, Instructional Technology Support Specialist, at Glendale Community College in the coming weeks, and learning how to use this resource.

2. Calasanz.MelissaAdylia LEAP 198
Weekly Reflection Paper Senior Project GCC DANCE 107 Internship



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